Apparatus for mixing and controlling a supply of fuel for explosionengines



w. n. COUPER. APPARATUS FOR MIXING AND CONVTIIOLLING A SUPPLY OF FUELFOR EXPLOSION ENGINES. APPLICATION FILED OCT. B 1918.

Ifmwzm mm@ may. 2, 1921A mw il RII @L WXLLAM D. COUPER, OFCHCAGO,XLLINOS.

APPARATUS FOR MIXNG AND CGNTROLLING- A SUPILY 0F hlll'EL FOR EXLOSON-ENGXNES.

Application filed October' 8, 1918. Serial No. 257,404.

all speeds the maximum temperature and efficiency of engines of theinternal combustion type, and also means whereby thecarbon willbeconverted into a combustib-le gas and consumed, with the result thatthere will be no accumulation of carbon in the cylinders and theefficiency of the engine will he greatly increased, whereby the amountof work or mileage for a given quantity of gas or-fuel will hematerially increased, and

with the further result that no obnoxious gases will be discharged fromthe exhaust. A further object is to provide improved means which may bereadily attached to the radiator of any of the present manufacturedmotor vehicles. Y A further object is to provide an improved apparatusof this character which will be simple, durable and cheap inconstruction, compact in arrangement, easily installed, and effectiveand efficient in operation.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new anduseful olojects as will appear, the invention consists in the featuresof novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement of the several' parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimedand shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention, andin which Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section.and with parts broken away of an automobile, having an attachmentapplied thereto, constructed in accordance with the principles of thisinven- I' tion.

F 2 is a top plan view' of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.ln the drawings, the apparatus has been shown as being applied to anautomobile, but it is to be understood that. it may be applied and usedfor other purposes, and

Specification of Letters Patent. Patentedllalu". 2, 1920.

therefore, it is desired that the drawings herewith lsubmitted shall'hel considered as being merely diagramma-tic.

lReferring more particularly to the drawings,vtlie numeral l0 designatesyan engine cylinder having the usual intake manifold 11 and the exhaustmanifold 12, a

The usualradiator 13 may be supplied titl with an roverflow pipe 14,although such overow is not necessary with the present" invention. Theradiator contains a supply of water which may, if desired, have mixedtherewith kerosene or other hydro-carbon or combustible fluids. A pipe15 has communication with the interior of the radiator 13, and the'inlet end 1G of this pipe is disposed at a point above the water levelof the radiator. Thepipe may be of any desired size, and maybe eithercoiled about they exhaust manifold 12 as at 17, or a portion of the pipemay be held in contact with the exhaust manifold in any suitable manner.of vthis pipe 15 has communication with a suitable valve structure 19.0fany desired type. This valve is adapted to control the mixturewhich issupplied from the .radiator The other end '18 13 t0 the engine," and maybe operated in i the radiator to the engine will he increased,

and when the valve is closed, the supply of mixture from the radiator tothe engine will be cut ofhwith Athe result that when the supply ofmixture from the radiator is increased,`the supply of fuel from thecarbureter 21 is diminished, and vice versa.

ln order to supply outside air to the radi ator 13 to replace the vapordrawn from the radiator, and to prevent the formation of a vacuum, andto regulate the mixture that is drawn from the radiator, and also toprovide an improved apparatus which may be readily attached to-anyradiator of this 'type now being manufactured, the apparatus isconstructed as hereinafter described.

It is to be understood, however, that the ap embodies a cylindrical bodypertion 22 cfa suitable size and of a diameter in cross section slightlylarger than the diameter of the fill opening 23 of the radiator 13, andis open at both the top and bottom, so that the bottom may betelesco'ped:l over the flange of the fill opening and then secured inposition 4in any suitable manner, such as by means of fastening devices24C.

Within the body Vportion 22 and above the diameter thereof to extendthereacross, is a partition 25 having one or more openings 26therethrough, forming communication between the chamber 27 and theinterior of the radiator 13, and which opening or openings 26l areadapted to be. closed byfmeans of a suitable float valve 28a to preventany of the liquid from the radiator 13 from splashing into the chamber27 within the body portion 22. The float 28a will, as the level of theliquid in the radiator lowers, drop to uncover the openings 26 so thatvapor may pass from the radiator into the chamber 27.

The inlet end 16 of the pipe 15 passes through the partition 25 from thebottom thereof and terminates in the chamber 27 at any desired pointabove the partition, and the passage of the mixture from the chambe'r 27through this pipe 15 to the engine will be controlled by the actuationof the valve 19 and the suction in the engine cylf inder.

The chamber 27 is closed by a closue 28 having a flange 29 whichtelescopes with the body portion 22, and is secured against accidentalremoval in any suitable manner such as by means of fastening devices orcatches 30.

The closure 28 is provided with openings 31-32 and the closure supportstwo depending pipes we which extend 'finto the chamber 27 andcommunicate with the respective openings 31-32. The pipe 33 terminateswithin the chamber 27 and above the piTilOll 25, While the pipe 34extends loosely through an opening in the partition 25 and terminates inthe radiator above the high water `line therein, so that when theclosure 28 is removed, both of the pipes -Sl will be removed therewith.

Thus it `will be seen that the pipes S31- 34: have communication withthe atmosphere, and in order to control the admission of atmosphere intothese pipes, any suitable mechanism may be provided, such, for instance,as the valves or covers S35-36, pivotally connected with the closure 2Sand adapted 'to'be moved over the respective openings. These valves maybe operated in any suitable manner from a point convenient to theoperator by means of fiexible rods 37-38- If desired, the valves 35 36may be adjusted and held in a fixed position.

ln assembling, the pipe 15 may be secured in position in any suitablemanner at the point where it passes through the radiator wall, such asby means of any ordinary and well-known coupling designated generally bythe reference numeral 39. The lower end of the pipe 34 may be allowed toremain open, or if found necessary, a float valve similar 'to the floatvalve 2S may provided, to automatically close and open the said end.

By the use of this improvement, it renders possible the use of two kindsof fuel oil, that is gasolene and a heavier oil.

Tt is sometimes found desirable 'to start the engine on gasolene untilthe engine reaches the proper temperature and condi-- tion, and thenshift to a heavier and less expensive fuel, then just before completingthe trip or just before leaving the engine to stand for a while tobecome cooled off, the heavier oil is cut olf and l'he gasolene isemployed in the engine, so that on the next running of the engine itwill be in a better condition to start with a lighter fuel in thecarbureter.

This may be accomplished by providing two supply pipes LlO--ll leadingfrom the respective supplies of the two fuels and both' connected andcommunicating with the carbureter 21 by means of a suitable connectionLl2. These pipes may be respectively controlled by suitable valves 43-44located in aconvenient position for the operator.

Obviously, the supplies of fuel are controlled by operating therespective valves 113-44.

It is thought that the operation of this improved apparatus will beclearly understood from the foregoing specification, but, brieflystated, it is as follows:

Assuming that the supply of gasolene is open to the carbureter and thesupply of heavier. oil is closed to the carbureter, the

valve 19 is opened and the valve 36 is opened to admit outside airthrough the pipe 34 into the radiator. As the engine operates, thesuction therein will draw vapor from the chamber 27 through the pipe` 16and the vapor in the lradiator will pass through the openings 2G |intothe chamber 27. The valve 35 is then opened to admit outside air intothe chamber 27 through the pipe 33 in whatever proportion it is desired,or to meet the existing and best conditions. This will result inreducing considerably the amount of gasolene ordinarily used undersimilar conditions, at least one-half, because for every gallon ofgasolene employed in the engine, an equal amount of water and anadditiow ally large quantity of air is also utilized.

Vhen it is desired-to use a heavier and less expensive oil, all-that isnecessary is to start the engine on the gasolene and then at the propertime shut off the gasolene supply and open the other oil supply.

Olwiously, the valves S5-5G may also be ladj-ustedilto IIiieetl-'theconditions `With the @rangement f' use of a heavier oil, besidesreducing the ex- A`ter amount of power is obtained .carbonisicoiisumecl'l and not wasted. e'slilt ,Affurtlieryinthe fact that theandispafrk plugs are kept clean of 'd tpe-"necessity Vvof grinding the ia" v seats is practically eliinit the parts has herein been vcribed, itis to be understood tliat'fvaiiou haiiges may be made in the lisfjit7oilstriifction and in the combination'fandariaiigeihent of the severalparts vai-anla.:

llilhat is clainiedas new is:

Afnwippartus of the character: described", iibdyl'iiigf a source ofsupply of fu'elf,'a`fradiatbr, mixing chamber for outaiidvapr "andhaving a restricted nmiiiiu itioiitv'vlith the radiator above the wa .er'lefvl'lff the radiator, whereby vapor from the"adiatoitf'may pass intothe said -withoutdepartingfrom the spirit oic this in- "cliainbi",ii'i'eansl for controlling the communicatingliopening between theradiator 'and chamber-:by height of the liquid in the radiatormeaiislfor conducting the vapor fromthe sa lchamber and mixing the samef' with ufu'iel'ltoibedelivered therewith to the eiigine,'means forcontrolling the supply of fuelanixturedelivered to the engine,meaiistfor'"suplying outside'a-ir to the radiator above the waterleve-ltherein, andmeans for supplying outside air tothe said chamer. 2.15mapparatus lof the character` described embodying al source of supply `offuel, a radiator, a mixing chamber for out.

side air and 'vapor and having communication with the'radiator above thewater level in the. radiator, whereby vapor from the radiator may passinto the said chamber, means operating automatically to control thecommunicating opening between the radiator and chamber, means forconductingy the vapor from the said chamber and mix.

ing the same with the -fuel 'to be delivered therewith to the engine,means for controlling the-supply of fuel and mixture delivered to theengine, means for supplying outside air'to the radiator above the waterlevel therein, and means for supplying outside air to the said chamber,the last two recitedv means being independent of each other.

3. An a paratus of .the character de scribed embodying a source ofSupply of fuel, a radiator, a mixing chamber for outf side air and vaporand having communica- .tion with the radiator above the water level inthe radiator, whereby vapor4 from the radiator may pass into .the-saidchamber,

iis tor conducting the vapor from thesaid chain-ber and mixing the saine.with the preferred construction and arfuel to be delivered therewith tothe engine, means for controlling the supply of ituel and mixturedelivered to the engine, means for supplying'outside air to the radiator:above the water level therein, means'i'or supplying outside air t0 thesaid chamber, means individual to the last two recited .means forcontrolling at will the amount of air respectively supplied thereby, andmeans for preventing the water from the radiator from entering the saidcham-ber.

4. An apparatus of the character described embodying a source of supplyoit fuel, a radiator, a chamber disposed above the water level in theradiator and having.

communication with the radiator, whereby vapor from the radiator maypass into the said chamber, means operating automatically to control thecommunicating opening between the radiator and the said chamber, meansfor conducting the vapor from the said chamber and mixing the same withthe fuel to be delivered therewith to the engine, means for controllingthe supply of fuel and mixture delivered to the engine,

vnieansfor supplying outside air to the radii Ew i ply of fuel andmixture delivered to the 'I engine, means for supplying, outside air tothe radiator above the water leve'l therein, means for supplying outsideair to the said chamber, the last two recited means embodying airpassages, and valvesl individual to the air passages whereby saidpassages may be opened and closed to the entrance of outside air.

6. An appara-tus of the character described embodying Iin combination aradiator liaving'an opening through one wall, I

a casing having an open chamber therein, means for securing the casingin position whereby the bottom of the chamber will form a closure forthe radiator opening, a closure for the chamber, there being an openingthrough the bottom of the chamber forming ya restricted communicationbetweenthe radiator and chamber, whereby vapor may pass from th'eradiator into the chamber, means for controllingthe lastswaid opening, apipe extending intothe cham- 'ber for withdrawing the vapor -`therefromand delivering the same with the fuel sup ply to the engine there beingan air supply opening for admitting outside air into the chamber, meanswhereby the 'supply of outside air to the chamber may be varied, therebeing an air supply opening for adrnittingA outside air tofthe radiator,and means whereby the ysupply of outside air to the radiatorthroughthe'said opening may be varied.

7 An apparatus of the .character described' embodying in combination aradiator'having an opening through one wall, a casing having an openchamber therein,

means for securing the lcasing in position whereby the bottom ofthechamber will .form a closure for the radiator opening, a

closure for the chamber, there being an openving ,through the bottom ofthe` chamber forming' a restricted` communication between the radiatorand chamber, whereby vapor may pass from the radiator into the chamber,means for controlling the last said opening, a pipe extending into thechamber for withdrawing the vapor therefrom and delivering the same withthe fuel supply to the, engine, a pipe supported by the said closure andterminating within the chamber whereby. .outside air may` be supplied tothe chamber, and a second pipe supported by the closure and extendingloosely through the bottom of the chamber and terminating in theradiator whereby' outside air may be supplied to the radiator,

said air pipes being removable with the said closure.

8. Anv apparatus of the character described embodying in combination aradi ator having an opening through one wall, a casing having an openchamber therein, means for securing the casing in position whereby thebottom of the chamber will form a closure for the radiator opening, aclosure for the chamber there being an opening through the bottom of thechamber forming a 'restricted communication between the radiator andchamber, whereby vapor may pass from the radiator into the chamben,means for controlling the last said opening, a pipe extending into thechamber for withdrawing the vaporthel'efrom and delivering the same withthe fuel .supply to the engine, a pipe supported by the said Closure andterminating within the chamber .whereby outside air may be supplied tothechamber, a second pipe supported by the closure and extending looselythrough the bottom of the chamber and terminating in the radiator4whereby outside air may be supplied' to the'radiator, said air pipesbeing .removable with the said closure, and means individual" t'o thepipes for respectively controlling the amount of air supplied throughthem.

Intestimony whereof Ihave signed my name to this specification, on this4th day of October, A. D. 1918.

' VVILLIAM D. COUPER.

